ISLAMABAD: Days after publicly criticising the federal government for failing to honour its financial promises, Pakistan’s world champion martial artist Shahzaib Rind has finally received a Rs5 million cheque from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in recognition of his achievements and bringing world titles home.
The cheque was handed over to Rind’s father, Khair Muhammad, during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday. The premier praised Shahzaib’s outstanding performance in international MMA events and extended his best wishes for future success.
The move follows a wave of public criticism after Shahzaib, fresh off his dominant victory at Karate Combat 56 against Brazil’s Luis Rocha, took to social media to express disappointment over unmet promises. In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Shahzaib alleged that the earlier pledge made by Prime Minister Shehbaz — which included Rs5 million in cash and Rs80 million to support his training camp and upcoming fights — had never materialised and was a lie.
“Our politicians are corrupt. Last time I won, Prime Minister @CMShehbaz announced Rs5 million cash and Rs80 million for my training camp and upcoming fights — it was all a lie. I never got a penny. They just take pictures, make fake promises, and forget. Shame,” the champion posted.
The post quickly garnered widespread support from fans and athletes, leading to increased pressure on the government to act.
Following the uproar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar issued a public apology to the fighter, blaming the delay on a “misunderstanding.” He acknowledged the lapse and said the Prime Minister had taken “strict notice” of the matter, directing immediate disbursement of the promised amount.
“There was an unfortunate delay in fulfilling our commitment to Shahzaib Rind due to miscommunication. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and reaffirm our appreciation for his services,” Tarar wrote on social media.
Shahzaib Rind, who hails from Balochistan, has emerged as a powerful symbol of Pakistan’s rising stature in global combat sports. His performances, especially his recent triumph over an Indian opponent, have earned him both national admiration and international recognition.
The release of the funds is seen not only as a long-overdue fulfillment of the government’s promise but also as a symbolic gesture acknowledging the athlete’s hard-earned accomplishments and the growing popularity of MMA in Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shahzaib, earlier this month, brought the world champion title home by defeating Brazilian fighter Luis Rocha with a dominant performance at KC 56.
